Paddle makes all the difference, when I changed from Red paddle 3 peace carbon to more performace light Nash carbon plus vario the upgrade was huge. Easy, light and much faster to paddle all thanks to your show.
And all of a sudden this (at first glance) very simple and elegant sport turned out to be offering a great deal of choices. If only it wasn’t so difficult to choose an SUP, now there’s also a plethora of paddles. My guess is that the average Joe (the average Georgi in my case) who just wants to explore the nature and have fun while on the water would never look at the more expensive paddles, race paddles, full carbon etc. Apart from that, I am not as physically fit as the guy in the video in order to make so many vigorous strokes. Oh well, may be with the right SUP and the right carbon paddle... Good equipment compensates the lack of paddler’s abilities 😀 Anyway, many thanks for the video. In 2021 I was recommended the Starboard Tiki Tech blue enduro S35 29mm shaft.
Hey Georgi SUP is a simple sport at heart. Like all things you can always take it to the next level. Everybody will notice the differences between a cheaper paddle and a super like carbon one. But does everyone need one? Not always. The most important thing is getting out there and enjoying this great sport. Problem is, if you paddle with a nice paddle you wont want to use a bendy heavy paddle ever again.;-) The Starboard Tiki is a great shape and choice of paddle. Have fun , and I hope our videos help you get into SUP. Thanks Reuben SUPboarder
I like to think of the S35-S45 rating as the amount of deflection under load, higher number, more deflection, more spring/flex. Perhaps a deflection test for paddle shafts might be something to try. Top of blade to just below handle, or about a 1.5m span, half way down (bottom hand) a weight of a few kg to mimic a powerful stroke, then measure the defection/flex. Feel is always a part of it, like how fast it springs back to straight, but something you might want to try...
Deflection under load is the way Starboard advertises shaft stiffness. In attempting to fit different constructions into three buckets minor variation is to be expected, but this video shows Starboard's rating system is bunk. I expect more from a brand with Starboard's reputation. In theory, I love your idea of a snappiness rating, but I'm not sure it would be practical. I imagine the market for consumers who have used enough paddles to identify a preferred rating, but lack access to a demo paddle for any major brand would be thin. Just one more thing to confuse and frustrate neophytes.
Great review again ... BUT ... No matter what the paddle weight is ... What happens if water gets inside that shaft? Are all the adjustable paddles as watertight as each other? If the most expensive paddle allows water inside the shaft it will be heavier! Do they all float please?
Hi Rob. The best Adjustable paddle have very tight seals around the shaft. But they still may let in a small amount of water tho. The driest adjustable paddle system we have come across is the Level Lock system. Very little to no water gets inside that one. Most adjustable paddles have foam in the top section and the lower bottom section of the shaft to stop them from sinking. Hope that helps Reuben
Thanks for your comment. Weight is an interesting one. Blade size, paddle length and different scales all can make a difference. Not to mention that some paddles are lighter then others even if they are exactly the same. The same is true for boards too. What do you think of your Lima? Thanks Reuben
Well, true, my other paddle Braca Kahana 650 should weigh 480 g according to specs while in fact it is 570 g. At first sight Lima seemed unbalanced because of more weight concentrated in the blade. However on the water it works perfect. Lightweight and obedient during a stroke. It is still cut off too long - 215 cm. I think at 211-212 cm it will be charm :)
Paddle makes all the difference, when I changed from Red paddle 3 peace carbon to more performace light Nash carbon plus vario the upgrade was huge. Easy, light and much faster to paddle all thanks to your show.
Great stuff
And all of a sudden this (at first glance) very simple and elegant sport turned out to be offering a great deal of choices. If only it wasn’t so difficult to choose an SUP, now there’s also a plethora of paddles. My guess is that the average Joe (the average Georgi in my case) who just wants to explore the nature and have fun while on the water would never look at the more expensive paddles, race paddles, full carbon etc. Apart from that, I am not as physically fit as the guy in the video in order to make so many vigorous strokes. Oh well, may be with the right SUP and the right carbon paddle... Good equipment compensates the lack of paddler’s abilities 😀 Anyway, many thanks for the video. In 2021 I was recommended the Starboard Tiki Tech blue enduro S35 29mm shaft.
Hey Georgi
SUP is a simple sport at heart. Like all things you can always take it to the next level. Everybody will notice the differences between a cheaper paddle and a super like carbon one. But does everyone need one? Not always.
The most important thing is getting out there and enjoying this great sport.
Problem is, if you paddle with a nice paddle you wont want to use a bendy heavy paddle ever again.;-)
The Starboard Tiki is a great shape and choice of paddle.
Have fun , and I hope our videos help you get into SUP. Thanks Reuben SUPboarder
I like to think of the S35-S45 rating as the amount of deflection under load, higher number, more deflection, more spring/flex. Perhaps a deflection test for paddle shafts might be something to try. Top of blade to just below handle, or about a 1.5m span, half way down (bottom hand) a weight of a few kg to mimic a powerful stroke, then measure the defection/flex. Feel is always a part of it, like how fast it springs back to straight, but something you might want to try...
Deflection under load is the way Starboard advertises shaft stiffness. In attempting to fit different constructions into three buckets minor variation is to be expected, but this video shows Starboard's rating system is bunk. I expect more from a brand with Starboard's reputation. In theory, I love your idea of a snappiness rating, but I'm not sure it would be practical. I imagine the market for consumers who have used enough paddles to identify a preferred rating, but lack access to a demo paddle for any major brand would be thin. Just one more thing to confuse and frustrate neophytes.
Thanks for all your comments. Always really good to hear your thoughts and feedback. We're always looking how to improve our videos.
Great review!!!
Thanks!
Great review again ... BUT ... No matter what the paddle weight is ... What happens if water gets inside that shaft? Are all the adjustable paddles as watertight as each other? If the most expensive paddle allows water inside the shaft it will be heavier! Do they all float please?
Hi Rob. The best Adjustable paddle have very tight seals around the shaft. But they still may let in a small amount of water tho. The driest adjustable paddle system we have come across is the Level Lock system. Very little to no water gets inside that one. Most adjustable paddles have foam in the top section and the lower bottom section of the shaft to stop them from sinking. Hope that helps Reuben
Great review! can some tell me the % carbon is used in the hybrid shaft? thnx
Good question, we'll have to find out about that one. Watch this space.
I am a bit surprised by the weight you giving. My Lima XL paddle with round shaft weighs 580 gr.
Thanks for your comment. Weight is an interesting one. Blade size, paddle length and different scales all can make a difference. Not to mention that some paddles are lighter then others even if they are exactly the same. The same is true for boards too.
What do you think of your Lima?
Thanks Reuben
Well, true, my other paddle Braca Kahana 650 should weigh 480 g according to specs while in fact it is 570 g.
At first sight Lima seemed unbalanced because of more weight concentrated in the blade. However on the water it works perfect. Lightweight and obedient during a stroke.
It is still cut off too long - 215 cm. I think at 211-212 cm it will be charm :)
Sounds good. Go for it, cut it down. :-) Reuben
Just got new 2019 Lima L S40 paddle, cut it off to the same length. Miracle! It weigh 427 g.
What board are these paddles sitting on...new allstar?
Yes the new Airline All Star. ua-cam.com/video/vKtwocnLaMY/v-deo.html Full review coming soon.